Understanding cultural dynamics shaping clinical reasoning skills: A dialogical exploration

Abstract

Our study examined the influence of national cultural predispositions on training medical professionals and doctor-patient dynamics using a dialogical approach, guided by Hofstede's framework. This framework provided valuable insights into how cultural tendencies shape the learning and application of clinical reasoning skills in different cultural contexts. We found that dimensions such as power distance and individualism versus collectivism significantly influenced clinical reasoning, while other dimensions had more nuanced effects. Junior doctors in Southern nations, despite initially lagging behind, developed advanced clinical reasoning skills with experience, eventually matching their Northern counterparts. The study highlighted the link between cultural norms and educational practices, variations in family involvement during reasoning, adherence to clinical guidelines and doctors' emotional engagement in clinical care between Southern and Northern contexts. Additionally, we recognised that effective clinical reasoning extends beyond technical knowledge, involving an understanding and integration of cultural dynamics into patient care. This highlights the pressing need to prioritise this topic.